the lake expansions some miles east of Michikamau.  There is one main channel running east and south, in this expansion.  It is north of the waters we are now in, and we can see no connection.  However, there looks as if there might be one about 5 miles east of our big hill.  Behind some barren ridges, about 50 feet high.  So we are making for them to see what we can find.  If no connection, we must portage, but we will not mind a little portage now, with Michikamau waters just over it.  Westward from our hill are dozens of little lakes, and a good deal of low burned land.  S.E. more lakes.  Must be an easy portage from the lakes on which we were muddled two weeks ago.  That’s where we missed it, in not finding that portage.

Thursday, September 10th.—­Wind west, cloudy.  Temp. 5 A.M. 46 degrees.  Rain in evening.  Cut legs from old drawers and pulled them over pants as leggings.  Went east looking for opening in N.W.  River.  Think we saw it in ridge to northeast, came S.W.  Believe that we saw also opening into Michikamau’s Bay which runs out of lake on S.E. side.  Wind delayed, and we only got to foot of mountain from which we expect to see it.  Camped.  Rain commenced.  While scouting I shot a large spruce partridge with pistol.

Friday, September 11th.—­Raining in morning.  Wind southwest.  Temp. 49 degrees.  Ate last meal of mother’s sweet dried apples.  We are on the verge of success apparently, in sight of Michikamau from which it is not far to the caribou grounds and the Nascaupees.  Yet we are sick at heart at this long delay and the season’s lateness and our barefoot condition.  Yet no one hints at turning back.  We could do so, and catch fish and eat our meal, for we know the way to within easy walking distance of Grand Lake, but the boys are game.  If we only had a fish net we would be 0.K.  My plan is to get a few fish if possible, push on at once to Michikamau somehow.  Get to the George River, and find the Nascaupees.  Then if the caribou migration is not over, we will kill some of the animals, dry them up and get as far back as possible before freezing up and leaving the canoe.  Then, unless we can get some one to show us to the St. Lawrence, we will probably go to Northwest River Post, get dogs and provisions, and snowshoe S.W. to Natishquan or some such point.  If we don’t get to the caribou grounds in time—­well, we’ll have to get some fish ahead, or use our pea meal in a dash for the George River H.B.C.  Post.  After breakfast George and I went in rain to climb mountain.  No water into S.W. bay of our lake as we hoped.  Trolling back, I caught one small namaycush.  Then we all started to hunt for a rapid we heard on the south side of this lake.  Caught one 2 1/2 lb. namaycush.  Found rapid.  Good sized stream falling in from south.  Big hopes, but too shoal and rapid, no pools.  Only one mess of trout.  Very much disappointed.  While Wallace and I fish, George gone to troll.  When he gets back, we will go to look for inlet into Low’s “Northwest River.”  Not finding that we will start on a portage for it in the morning.  Later by camp fire.  Weather has cleared.  All bright and starry.  Caught a 7-lb. namaycush and so we eat to-night.